To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Robert Donnell Bone (1832-1892) was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, and came to Nacogdoches County in 1841 with his mother and stepfather. He and his brothers and sister moved in with his older sister when she married John Winstead Paine in 1846. After a serious illness of pneumonia, R. D. Bone rode horseback to Tennessee and entered the University at Nashville Medical School (which later became Vanderbilt University) in 1854 and returned to Douglass, Texas, to practice medicine after graduating in 1858. That same year he married Griselda Minerva Burk (1841-1912) who was also from Tennessee and had moved to Nacogdoches County, Texas, with her family in 1848. On November 25, 1861, Dr. Bone was appointed to serve as Assistant Surgeon of the 12th Texas Volunteer Infantry, Col. Overton Young's Regiment at Camp Hebert, Hempstead, Austin County, Texas. He felt it was his duty to serve the cause of the Confederacy and eagerly attended his post. As revealed in the following letters exchanged with his wife while on active duty in the Civil War, it soon became clear that he would have to contend with inadequate provisions, boring camp routine and confusing orders. "The Fever", dysentery, measles and exposure were Dr. Bone's patients' main medical problems; his regiment was not involved in any serious fighting. When he resigned his commission on March 7, 1863, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he went back to Douglass, Texas, to practice medicine. Dr. Bone also bought cotton and cattle and took them to New Orleans each fall to be sold. Minerva was Post Mistress in Douglass from 1866-1867. Only six of the Bone's 12 children reached adulthood, and two of their sons graduated from the University at Nashville Medical School exactly 50 years after Dr. Bone did. At least eight of his descendants have followed him in serving the medical profession. (Aiken, Roy L. (Pete). "Bone Family." In Nacogdoches County Families, 172. Dallas, Tx.: Curtis Media Corporation, 1985.)

Scope and Content Note

Bone Family Papers. Included in the collection of letters between Dr. Bone and Minerva are letters to the Bones from family and friends, report forms from the post office at Douglass, and two poems (probably written by Dr. Bone). Typescripts for most of the papers in the collection are in a booklet in Box 2. Several 19th century newspapers belonging to Dr. Bone are cataloged and shelved with the newspaper bundles.

The Capture of 17 of Co H 4th Texas Cav
Tune = Wake Snakes and Bite a "Biskit"
Twas early in the morning of Eighteen Sixty-three.
We started out on picket not know what we'd see.
The Bridge we knew was floating if the Yankees should pursue.
We knew we should be captured if running we'd not do.
To stop and give them battle we never thought of it.
The shot at us did rattle so we thought we'd better git.
The Captain tried to rally us - and so did brave Young Linn.
And Rader too with pistol drawn Fenly next "put" in.
Rainbolt too with angry words attempt to stop our flight.
They tell us yet to stop with them and give the Yankees fight.
They saw they could not stop us to try it would be vain.
So their only chance for safety was to give their steeds the rein.
Now this portion of my story will cause your hearts to bleed.
It tells of those who halted while going at full speed.
First came Billy Eddins with musket shot in thigh.
He was told by the Yankees Surrender now or die.
Then came poor Johny Barnes with Sabre cut in head.
And near by him and wounded stood the still unconquered Red.
Then Oscar and June Harris stood near in sore affright.
Then came the young DeMarcus in now the bitter plight.
Yarborough too with deathly cheek was walking down the road.
The Yankees had to some extent relieved him of his load.
His over-coat he had pulled off and in his shirt he stood.
In woeful plight he stood a sight his face contained no blood.
Then came the lively Tilly with teeth hard set in wrath.
To think that some had passed him by but picked him up at last.
The Burnes came and Millard then Graham and Jim Baugh.
The Gallant Bone was nabbed alone and brought back from afar.
But of the handsome Partin I must not fail to tell.
His graceful way of riding you all remember well.
But to-day the fates concluded to stop his wild career.
So from his horse was jolted by a musket from the rear.
The Gallant Hill and dashing Dees were spurring for dear life.
When a Yankee rode with perfect ease upon them with a Knife.
Surrender now my pretty pair and do it quickly too.
Stop at once and turn your mare or I will run you through.
They stopped at once and faced about and to the rear did start.
And back they came with legs quite lame with faint and sinking heart.
And there they saw a crowd who were gobbled-up that day.
They were the twain that made 17 and we were marched away.

Rights

This item may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. It is available for non-commercial research and education. For permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the East Texas Research Center at asketrc@sfasu.edu.